Healing Timeline

[cO-ol]

I'm 21, had symptoms that concerned me for 3 years, but I now realize I've had neurological symptoms for at least 6 because I developed "carpal tunnel syndrome" during freshman year of high school (and blamed excessive computer use). How long does it typically take someone like me to heal? I have signs that intestinal damage has been done (other food intolerances, vitamin low levels). I know it's a realllllllly good thing I caught this early. Also, my b12 was 305 when I first saw the doc. Could the "carpal tunnel syndrome" have been a straight gluten reaction as opposed to a b12 deficiency symptom like I thought? (Normally b12 deficiency to the point of nerve issues is a sign of horrible horrible damage done, right? I was hardly dying at that point).

But can anyone give me insight as to what kind of healing timeline I'm likely to be looking at? Mainly curiosity. Any fellow whippersnappers (I'm sorry for using that term xD) out there who can tell me their experience? I also know that nerve healing is a notoriously "weird" (and sometimes lengthy) process because I've read a lot on b12 deficiency.

[LDJofDenver]

Don't know about the carpal tunnel connection. But, as you suspected, the healing can widely vary, depending on your age, how long you had it before diagnosis, how often you get cross contaminated while trying to eat gluten free, etc.

I was diagnosed in my 50s and know I had it possibly a couple decades. I had the whole host of neurological problems, in addition to stomach and intestinal woes, beau coup vitamin deficiencies, weird rashes, etc. (I could go on!).

Much to my surprise, many of my symptoms began clearing up within weeks, some within months, others still coming along (2 years later). I remember reading upon diagnosis that the neurological things take longer to clear up, like a year or more. Most of mine were resolved within months.

Just know that you are on the road to healing and continue following your path to wellness.

[Emilushka]

For what it's worth, I bet the carpal tunnel syndrome was real. That's becoming more and more common as more people spend lots of time on the computer. The carpal tunnel is a restricted space and the median nerve, which is trapped inside of the carpal tunnel, can become irritated quite easily.

So please keep your computer use and writing within more normal limits so that you don't aggravate those nerves, even if you're eating the perfect diet!

[rosetapper23]

My son and I both have celiac, and we both suffered from carpal tunnel syndrome that began in our teens. After we went gluten free, our symptoms resolved; however, I can't recall how long it took. If you want to speed up the healing of your gut, though, I would recommend taking L-Glutamine, which is often recommended by celiac experts.

Also, tendon problems can indicate that you might be low in zinc, and you would need to take an amino acid chelated form of zinc to get better. After being glutened in April, I ended up with a severe zinc deficiency and ended up with tendon pain all over my body. It stopped hurting four days after taking the zinc.

Lastly, tendon problems can be caused by thyroid problems, which are common in people with celiac. For me, my tendons act up when I've taken too much thyroid medication (I have Hashimoto's, so sometimes my thyroid sputters back to life, and I have to lower my meds). Perhaps you have hyperthyroid (??).

Anyway, hopefully, some of this information will help your particular problem.

[cap6]

what dosage do you take?

[rosetapper23]

I'm not sure if you're asking about the L-Glutamine or the amino acid chelated zinc, so I'll respond for both. I no longer have to take L-Glutamine, but a doctor recommended it to me when, after being on a gluten-free diet for three years, I still didn't feel all that great. He recommended Metagenics UltraClear Sustain Medical Food (which contains 500 mg of L-Glutamine along with a lot of other nutrients that celiacs need), and he suggested that I take half the dosage recommended on the bottle (one tablespoon in my morning smoothie). It made me right as rain, and I continued to take it for 18 months before feeling confident enough to stop taking it. I can HIGHLY recommend this product. When my doctor prescribed it, he said, "I'm going to make you feel as though you don't have celiac." I didn't believe him, but he was right!

As for the zinc, I take Bluebonnet brand, and it says to take one capsule (30 mg) daily. The nutritionist at the healthfood store where I bought it cautioned me on not taking too much zinc. However, since I obviously was suffering from a severe deficiency, I have continued to take it for the past two months. I plan to discontinue taking it when the bottle is empty (in 30 days), but if the symptoms return, I'll go back to taking it. In reviewing my life, I see now that I suffered from a zinc deficiency off and on throughout my childhood and adulthood.

[cO-ol]

Thanks for the replies, everyone!

My carpal tunnel syndrome manifests as wrist itchiness/numbness and hand numbness. I'd believe it was true-computer-caused CTS if I didn't develop similar symptoms in my ankles/feet a few years later. Plus if I lean on a body part it's verrrrrry quick to go numb (I've woken up with numb hips and arms more times than I care to think about--oh, and this "feature" is REALLY fun when I'm sitting on my butt on the floor...). On good days my feet don't hurt too bad at the end of my 8 hour shift on my feet (it was nerve pain! No wonder the "right shoe" that everyone told me would help said foot pain didn't seem to exist for me). Plus I've had days of the quick-to-fall-asleep body parts not being an issue (it's off and on).

At any rate, I will definitely try to obtain that L-Glutamine and such. I just need to keep on keepin' on.